Woman Mauled by 3 Dogs While Walking to Work, Family Says Police Had Been Warned

Sheila Pate suffered injuries that now prevent her from working after the attack in Geneva, Alabama.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:54pm

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Sheila Pate was walking to work in Geneva, Alabama when she was attacked by three pit bulls. Pate's family says police had been warned about the dogs earlier that same day, but officers had left the scene to help with storm cleanup. Pate suffered injuries across her body and is now facing a long road to recovery and mounting medical bills.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential dangers of uncontrolled dogs in a community and the need for effective animal control policies and enforcement. It also raises questions about police response times and priorities when citizens report potential threats to public safety.

The details

According to a GoFundMe set up by Pate's family, she was walking to work when the three pit bulls attacked her. Pate told local news station WTVY, "I seriously thought I was fixing to die. And I said, 'God, please get these dogs off of me. They're going to kill me.'" Pate's son Kenneth said a neighbor had reported the dogs to the city earlier that same day, but police had left the scene to help with storm cleanup before animal control could arrive to address the issue.

  • On March 12, 2026, a neighbor reported the three pit bulls to the Geneva, Alabama police.
  • Later on March 12, 2026, Sheila Pate was attacked by the three pit bulls while walking to work.

The players

Sheila Pate

An Alabama woman who was mauled by three pit bulls while walking to work, leaving her unable to work and facing mounting medical bills.

Kenneth Pate

Sheila Pate's son, who said a neighbor had reported the dogs to the city earlier the same day as the attack.

Pepper Mock

The Geneva, Alabama police chief, who said officers had responded to the initial call about the dogs but left the scene to help with storm cleanup.

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What they’re saying

“I seriously thought I was fixing to die. And I said, 'God, please get these dogs off of me. They're going to kill me.'”

— Sheila Pate

“The owners should be held accountable. The city should be held accountable. That's just plain and simple.”

— Sheila Pate

What’s next

Police are investigating the incident and are weighing potential charges against the dogs' owners.

The takeaway

This tragic attack underscores the need for stronger animal control policies and enforcement to protect public safety, as well as the importance of prompt police response when citizens report potential threats in their community.